Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY293908 Inspection date 09 January 2006 Inspector Julie Mary Preston

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and 1 child aged 1 year in Stafford, Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom and toilet within the childminder's house are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time. She is currently minding three children on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group, takes children to the local library, shops and the local park. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home, where the procedures implemented by the childminder help children learn the importance of staying healthy. Children develop an understanding of good hygiene practices through daily routine activities completed with the childminder. For example, washing their hands before meals. However children are at risk of cross infection as they all use the same towel to wipe their hands and individual bed linen is not provided for children who sleep on the settee. The childminder has an understanding of the procedures for dealing with sickness, existing injuries, accidents and administration of medication. However written permission for seeking any additional emergency medical advice or treatment is not currently sought. Children understand the benefits of a healthy diet through discussion and the range of meals and snacks provided by the parents and the childminder. Children are given

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Helping children to be healthy

regular access to drinks and are comfortable to request drinks and snacks as they require them throughout the day. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet children's individual dietary needs. If parents provide children's dietary requirements they are appropriately stored and served to children. This ensures individual dietary needs are met. The childminder is aware of good hygiene within food preparation and storage and reflects this within her practice. Children enjoy a wide range of activities that contribute to their good health. Regular physical activities help children develop physical skills and gain control of their bodies. For example outdoor games, walks around the local environment, dance sessions and use of the rear garden. Children are given opportunities to rest or sleep in line with parental wishes and individual sleep patterns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where the childminder aims to ensure possible risks are identified and minimised. This means that children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder develops children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe and maintain safety both inside and outside the home. For example through discussion about road safety with children to develop their understanding and to keep them safe. The home is maintained and offers a welcoming environment for children to play comfortably with the toys and equipment available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The child friendly environment allows children to independently select activities from the range of toys, which are suitable for the age range of children attending. Toys are organised on shelves, in drawers and in storage boxes and a selection is provided at child height to allow easy access and are rotated to ensure variety. The childminder has the required safety procedures in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example by practising fire procedures, providing smoke alarms and a fire blanket. The childminder has an understanding of child protection procedures that should ensure children are protected from harm or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, settled and show enjoyment of their time in the childminder's care. They are confident and make themselves at home. The children interact well with the childminder and with each other showing a clear bond that leads to positive relationships and a sense of belonging. Children gain confidence to express their needs and wants with the childminder. The childminder takes time to listen and make conversation with each child expanding on children's individual interests through discussion and questioning. This develops children's understanding. At most times children experience a range of age-appropriate activities that promote development, encourage confidence, develop independence and promote self-esteem, such as independently selecting activities and resources. However not all children are appropriately challenged and extended at all times, this limits children's opportunities for learning and development. Many of the activities are child

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

led with the childminder supporting and extending children's learning. The childminder has knowledge of each child that attends and their individual capabilities. This enables them to adapt and extend activities to ensure each child gains the most out of each activity they participate in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a limited understanding of equal opportunities that is reflected in the lack of resources and activities she provides for children. This means children have limited awareness of diversity and understanding of others. However the childminder acknowledges this and intends to develop her knowledge and understanding to ensure this is reflected within her practice and resources. The childminder has an understanding of special needs issues. All children are treated as individuals and their needs met. Resources and activities provide limited positive images and allow children to develop some understanding of themselves and the wider world, for example books and discussions held with children about activities on festivals that they have completed at school. Children are well behaved and show care and concern for each other as they take

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 turns and show an understanding of their boundaries. The childminder applies a consistent approach to manage a range of children's behaviour. Positive use of praise and lots of encouragement helps to build children's self-esteem. Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do. They have opportunities to rest and to be active within the daily routine. The childminder promotes positive relationships with parents and works in partnership with them. Discussions are held with parents and children at the initial visits with ongoing discussions and observations undertaken on a daily basis to ensure individual children's needs are identified and met. The childminder ensures parents are fully aware of her procedures and how children will be cared for by verbally discussing her policies and procedures, providing an information sheet for

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents and by holding daily discussions with parents about children's care and achievements.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the relevant training requirements; she has attended a course in advanced child protection, has completed her introduction to childminding practice and holds a current first aid certificate. The children feel comfortable and at ease within the childminder's home. The environment provided both inside and outside the home enables children to be confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Verbal and written policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Information is shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities and well-being. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. Most of the required documentation is in place and is accurately completed and maintained. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the first inspection since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • reduce the risk of cross contamination between children by providing individual bed linen for sleeping children and individual hand towels • ensure written parental permission is requested, at the time of the placement, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future • ensure all children are appropriately challenged and extended • further develop and extend your knowledge, understanding and resources for equal opportunities.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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